The total volume of Tajikistan’s foreign trade reached $3.91 billion in the first five months of 2025, slightly exceeding figures from the same period last year. However, this modest growth was primarily driven by a sharp increase in imports, while exports continued to decline. The trade gap surpassed $2.3 billion and is projected to widen further, according to Asiaplus.tj.
Export Down, Import Up
Data from the Tajik Customs Service shows that exports from January to May 2025 totaled $776.2 million, reflecting a 13% year-on-year decline. Imports, on the other hand, grew by 6%, reaching $3.14 billion.
Trade within the CIS: Turnover Up, Exports Down
Trade with CIS countries—including Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan—increased by 5.5%. However, exports to these nations dropped by nearly 25%, while imports continued to grow. The imbalance is especially stark in trade with Russia: exports stood at just $41.7 million, compared to $857.9 million in imports. A similar dynamic is seen with Kazakhstan.
Trade with Uzbekistan appears more balanced: exports totaled $81.2 million against $193 million in imports, with a total turnover of $274.3 million.
Trade with Non-CIS Countries: China Leads with Trade Deficit
Tajikistan’s trade with non-CIS countries decreased by 1.5%, largely due to a 9% drop in exports, while imports rose slightly. China remains Tajikistan’s largest trading partner, with a bilateral trade volume of $964.1 million. However, the deficit persists—exports stood at $177.5 million, while imports reached $786.7 million.
A positive trade balance was recorded with only a few countries, including the Netherlands, where exports totaled $218.7 million and imports just $10 million. A surplus was also observed in trade with Turkey ($111.7 million in exports vs. $74.9 million in imports).
What Does Tajikistan Export?
Tajikistan’s main export commodities include:
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Unrefined gold
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Unprocessed aluminum
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Lead-zinc ores and concentrates
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Cotton fiber
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Electricity
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Cement
These six categories form the backbone of the country's foreign currency earnings.
What Does Tajikistan Import?
Tajikistan primarily imports essential goods and industrial products. The most frequently imported items are:
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Wheat (almost entirely from Kazakhstan)
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Pharmaceuticals
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Petroleum products (from Russia and Uzbekistan)
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Machinery and vehicles
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Flour
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Vegetable oils
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Ferrous metals
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Liquefied gas
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Rice
Top 7 Trade Partners (Jan–May 2025):
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China – $964.1M (Exports: $177.5M | Imports: $786.7M)
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Russia – $899.5M (Exports: $41.7M | Imports: $857.9M)
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Kazakhstan – $481.4M (Exports: $31.3M | Imports: $450.1M)
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Uzbekistan – $274.3M (Exports: $81.2M | Imports: $193.0M)
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Netherlands – $228.7M (Exports: $218.7M | Imports: $10.0M)
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Iran – $187.9M (Exports: $45.5M | Imports: $142.4M)
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Turkey – $186.7M (Exports: $111.7M | Imports: $74.9M)
CentralasianLIGHT.org
July 1, 2025